EA Journal

“𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒔𝒆𝒕𝒔 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑬𝑨 𝑱𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒂𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕 𝒇𝒓𝒐𝒎 𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒊𝒄 𝒕𝒂𝒙 𝒋𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒔 𝒊𝒔 𝒊𝒕𝒔 ‘𝒑𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕’ 𝒍𝒆𝒏𝒔. 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒊𝒄𝒍𝒆𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒏 𝒍𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒆𝒍𝒚 𝒃𝒚 𝑬𝑨𝒔, 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝑬𝑨𝒔 ... 𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒚 𝒓𝒆𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒄𝒍𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒔 𝒃𝒆𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝑰𝑹𝑺...”
— Dr. Hrish Desai, CPA, CFA, EA, CMA, FCA

The Spring edition of the EA Journal is now live online, and print copies should be arriving in mailboxes within the next couple of weeks, if they have not already. Members can access the Spring edition here 👉 https://eajournal.naea.org/issues
(Don’t forget to log in.)

For nonmembers looking to get a feel for the value of the EA Journal, start with the Editor’s Message, “Moving Beyond the Abstract,” where Jeremy Wells, EA, CPA, explores why practical judgment, real-world experience, and thoughtful analysis matter when complex tax issues carry real consequences for practitioners and their clients.

🔗 https://ow.ly/hNYE50Yx0q3

🚨 Advocacy in action. Results delivered.

The Oregon Legislature has passed legislation recognizing the federal Enrolled Agent (EA) credential in state law, creating a clear registration pathway for EAs to practice in Oregon.
This important change removes duplicative licensing barriers while maintaining oversight through registration with the Oregon Board of Tax Practitioners. The result: greater access to qualified tax professionals for Oregon taxpayers. This victory reflects the power of coordinated advocacy from NAEA members, state affiliates, and practitioners who shared their expertise with lawmakers.

Read the full story and what it signals for tax policy nationwide:
🔗 https://ow.ly/5iQm50YqnGQ

When people say enrolled agents have "unlimited representation rights," here's what that looks:

📮 IRS Notice → EA analyzes and explains the notice, then handles communication on your behalf
📋 Audit Letter → EA represents you throughout
💰 Collections Issue → EA negotiates on your behalf

Representation means not facing the IRS alone. That's the power of representation. The the power of .

Learn more about Enrolled Agents: https://ow.ly/sakI50YcNSW

Tax Summit 2026 is bringing the party to New Orleans!

Why attend?
🎷 Learn from the best tax minds in the country
🎷 New networking opportunities that will actually be fun!
🎷 Earn CE/CPE without falling asleep
🎷 Eat beignets between sessions (priorities)

Save big on Tax Summit 2026, this month only!
1. Register at Early Bird pricing
2. Apply code 𝗟𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗡𝗔𝗘𝗔 for an additional $150 off
3. Not a member? Join now for the best price: https://ow.ly/INOG50YctnR

New Orleans. May 2026. Be there 👉 Register: https://ow.ly/3eBH50YctnT

Technology talk might get some of you excited, or make you want to scroll right past. But the truth is, technology isn’t slowing down. As people and professionals, we have to adapt. That doesn’t mean we will all adapt in the same way. Some of us may not even know where to start.

In this EA Journal article, Karena Burgess, EA, breaks down the practice management skills Enrolled Agents should embrace, whether you are running a solo practice or leading a growing firm.

Read "Top-Notch Practice Management Skills for Enrolled Agents in 2025" https://ow.ly/GcZf50WKkLQ

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗶𝘀 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗻𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀. 𝗧𝗼 𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗔 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗹, 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝗡𝗔𝗘𝗔 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝘁 𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗽𝗹𝘂𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲.

We've got a new episode of The Enrolled Agent Advocate!

We’re joined by Ruben D. Valdes, EA — one of fewer than 250 non-attorneys admitted to practice before the U.S. Tax Court.

From helping in his mother’s tax office to becoming a nationally recognized instructor and advocate, Ruben shares how the EA credential changed his career and why it’s key to expanding taxpayer access to justice.

Why Listen:

✔️ Learn how Ruben passed the U.S. Tax Court exam as a non-attorney
✔️ Hear what it’s like navigating high-stakes audits
✔️ Understand why language + education shape taxpayer rights
✔️ Discover how EAs can step into their full power as advocates

This episode is equal parts inspiration, insight, and a call to action for Enrolled Agents everywhere.

👉 Listen now: https://ow.ly/GZn250WHwn2

🎧 New Episode of the Enrolled Agent Advocate — Featuring Timalyn Bowens, EA

In this fresh episode, host Brandy Spears sits down with Timalyn Bowens, EA — founder of Bowens Tax Solutions and known across the industry as “America’s Favorite EA.” From long nights at Crowe Horwath to building a nationally respected tax resolution firm, Timalyn’s journey is rooted in empathy, advocacy, and education. She shares the pivotal moment that changed everything — when a stranger in tears over a small IRS bill reminded her exactly why the EA credential matters.

If you’re an Enrolled Agent — or aspire to be — and you want to lead with purpose, represent with pride, and serve from a place of impact, this one’s for you:

🎙️ Tune in now to the Enrolled Agent Advocate — wherever you get your podcasts.

🎧 Special Edition Alert!

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act has passed—and in this special edition of The Enrolled Agent Advocate, we’re bringing you the breakdown straight from D.C.

We sit down with NAEA EVP Megan Killian, CAE, and Thad Inge of Van Scoyoc Associates to explore what’s in the legislation, how it happened, and what EAs need to know about new deductions, TCJA changes, and more.

📢 Don’t miss this timely conversation: https://ow.ly/QV4050WsM8Z

🎙️ New Episode Alert!
What does it take to build a lasting legacy in tax representation, and know when it's time to pass the torch?

In this episode of The Enrolled Agent Advocate, we sit down with Jennifer MacMillan, EA—educator, advocate, and NAEA President—to explore her 30+ year journey in the profession. From growing and selling her tax practice to shaping the future of NAEA and serving on the IRSAC, Jennifer shares lessons on leadership, ethics, and transition.

Whether you're building your practice or considering what's next, this conversation is packed with insight, inspiration, and practical takeaways.

🎧 Listen now: https://ow.ly/tvBJ50WrYyc

🎙️ New on The Enrolled Agent Advocate

What happens when a tax pro stops chasing busy season and starts designing a business—and life—on her own terms?

Host Brandy Spears talks with Dr. Jackie Meyer, a CPA-turned-SaaS founder who left her firm to launch TaxPlanIQ and lead a value-driven movement in tax. They dive into purpose, pricing, burnout, and what it really means to build a fulfilling practice.

🎧 Listen in for fresh perspective and practical insight: https://www.naea.org/eapodcast/

🚨 New Episode Alert! 🚨

How do you go from single mom in corporate America to leading mission-driven businesses, launching the first EA apprenticeship program in the country, and serving gelato 🍨 to U.S. military grads?

On this episode of The Enrolled Agent Advocate, host Brandy Spears sits down with powerhouse Enrolled Agent Anisha Bailey—entrepreneur, trailblazer, and purpose-driven leader.

From walking away from a Big Four job to founding Taxley Academy, CentsableCEO, and a family-run gelato brand, Anisha shares how she turned her tax expertise into real-world impact.

🎧 Part masterclass. Part motivation. 100% inspiring.

Listen now and get ready to redefine what's possible: https://ow.ly/F8UN50WalO0